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"The face of the operation is Briatore (referred to exclusively in the film by his colleagues and angry, chanting detractors as "Flavio"), an anthropomorphic radish who spends most of his time at QPR plotting to fire all of the managers."

At press time, Harbaugh had sent Michigan’s athletic department an envelope containing a heavily annotated seating chart, a list of the 63,000 seat views he had found unsatisfactory, and a glowing 70-page report on section 25, row 12, seat 9, which he claimed is “exactly what the great sport of football is all about.”

TomVH: An Interview with Zach Banner's Coach

The 2012 recruiting class has been set up perfectly for Michigan's needs both geographically and position wise. The midwest is loaded with talent and there also happens to be a plethora of recruits nationally in areas of need. The offensive line is a position where the Michigan coaches will look to take somewhere around 5 to 6 commitments. Of the thirty some offers that have been extended to offensive linemen so far there may not be a bigger one than Zach Banner out of Lakes High School in Lakewood, Washington.

Banner is a 6-foot-9, 310-pound offensive tackle that has racked up offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Cal, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, and USC just to name a few. Lakes head coach Dave Miller says that Banner warrants those offers, and he's a rare prospect. "He's a very good student, I see him as a business man or sports reporter. He's very charismatic, he's the student body president and he could be the President of the United States someday, he's that type of kid," said Miller. "We've had some kids that are talented here, but as far as the total package [Banner] has the total package." Outside of having a big personality Zach is also big in his community, and his coaches have been impressed with his ability to balance his every day life. "I've been amazed, he's an exceptional kid for his age. He's handled it as well as he could for his age. His parents have done a great job raising him, and we've been able to guide him through it as well," he said.

Just looking at his measurables you can see why he has the biggest programs after him, but Coach Miller doesn't think he's scratched the surface yet. "He's improved every year we've had him. He moves well, his pad level is coming down, and he'll probably be about 20 years old when it all comes together for him," Miller said. "When he grows into his body and he's a few years into college, he'll be great. He dominates for us now, but his full potential is down the road."

When it comes to the recruiting process Banner has been mostly focused on his basketball team who just won a state title. Now that the hoops season is over he plans on focusing on his football future. "He's seen Oregon and Washington and places he can drive to. It will be a cost factor to take unofficials so it's probably safe to say he'll use his official visits on the schools he hasn't seen yet," he said.

As for how Michigan plays into Banner's recruitment, Coach Miller thinks the Wolverines have a good shot. "I think he's really interested in Michigan, they'll definitely factor in. I think he's interested in them because his style of play as an offensive tackle is similar to some of the tackles that Michigan has had before," said Miller. "He's familiar with their history and tradition. He's aware of their place in college football." Coach Miller isn't sure yet if distance will factor in, but says that it can sometimes be a good thing to get away from home. "He hasn't told me that distance will factor in. Sometimes the local kids that go to the local schools they never live up to the expectations. I've encouraged him to look around, and I'd be surprised, I'd be real surprised, if he didn't take one of his official visits out to Michigan."

Outside of what Zach knows about Michigan, Coach Miller is also familiar with a few coaches on the current staff. "I've been here for twenty six years, Coach Carr recruited a few of our players, and Coach Hoke has too so I've filled him in on Michigan too," he said. "Coach Hoke is extremely positive, honest and straightforward, and what you see is what you get. He really cares about his players and he gets to know the kids, and I also know Coach Ferrigno who's a top notch guy." Often times building that trust and relationship with the high school coach is the hardest part and can take time. That could end up helping Michigan's chances in this case. "When you build trust with these recruiters it goes a long way with high school coaches because we want to make sure our players are going somewhere we feel comfortable," Miller said.

Banner and Coach Miller are looking to trim down his list by May, and then narrow it down further to a top five or eight by August. "He has a ton of offers, and he was chosen for the US Army All American game already so he has a lot to look at. He'll probably go right to the end, to signing day with it. He'll do his homework on everything and make sure it's right,' said Miller.

I got a 23 and didn't get in. Of course I'm a 5'8 white guy that can't catch herpes at a titty bar. - Toledowolverine

Six out of twelve (50%) of the tackles in the past two Pro Bowls have been 6'6" or taller. That includes 6'7" Jake Long and 6'8" Bryant McKinnie. Additionally, Jonathan Ogden was 6'9" and a potential Hall of Fame offensive lineman.

I would have thought it was actually more than 50% who are 6'6" and above. In fact, I can't think of the last full-time tackle for Michigan who was shorter than 6'6". Every linemen on our current roster who is slotted at OT (including walk-ons) is 6'6" or above.

EDIT: After looking over Rivals top OTs from 2011, 14 of the top 25 are 6'6" and above, and of the ones under 6'6", only 2 are below 6'5" (both are 6'4"). 4 of them are 6'7" and #26 is 6'8".

Well, Schilling is only 6'5" and he started at OT for a couple years. Before that it was probably Rueben Riley. But both of those guys were/are probably better suited as guards, anyway, so I'm not sure that supports the above poster's point in the least.

to see at the halfway mark. I agree with Magnus athleticism jumps off the screen, agility, stays with blocks, good down field blocking. he looks really well put together even at this stage passes the eye test. Plays basketball is probably a real plus for hand eye and playing in space. This kid looks like he's going to be a good one.

Imagine our oline if we could land Banner, Diamond, and Jordan Simmons who Sam Webb mentioned was very interested because is mentor is a former Michigan lineman. Combine them with Stacey and Braden and our future line woes would be solved.

I think Greg may have been 6'8" but this kid probably is also. I distinctly recall the Chris Webber interview when he spoke on his decision to not "walk-on" to the UM football team, something few recall he was considering.

"I looked at Jumbo Elliot, eye to eye, and realized this guy had 80 pounds on me and all muscle. My decision was easy after that."